HAPPY NEW YEAR
Firstly, Happy New Year! This is my first post of 2021; I never thought it would come after the year we had endured, but through perseverance, we made it!
To all my new and or returning visitors, I pray that you all have a prosperous new year; a year of love, happiness, good health and wealth. Amen!
Now let us get into this update.
Story time| THE CALM BEFORE THE STORM
New year, new hair: how fitting, right? Let me bring you up to speed on what has happened since my last post.
In December 2020, I did quite the shopping; both online and in-stores to prepare for my trip to Accra, Ghana. A lot of my purchases consisted of gifts for friends and family; nonetheless, I did manage to get a few items for myself.
Aside from the essential items needed for travel, I purchased the Revlon Pro Collection Salon One-Step Hair Dryer and Styler, the BetterLength’s Natural Textured Drawstring Ponytail, and the BESTOPE Hair Straightener, which were equally necessary if not more. And I will explain why.
During my stay in Accra, I had a formal function to be present at, and of course, it was kind of important that I looked and felt my best on that particular day.
Not to add, after staying home for approximately eight months, this was probably the only opportunity I was going to have to get dolled and attend a formal gathering, before you know I get *Cues Akon – ‘Locked up’ (quarantine edition)*
HAIR INSPIRATION
So the plan was to book an appointment with a makeup artist to “beat my face to the gawds” and to style my own hair.
The hair look I was going for was basic but giving inches (16″). I decided to stick with a style that I was familiar with (my signature: middle part, low bun) but elevate the look with the Natural Textured Drawstring Ponytail from BetterLength.
Although I lack expertise in hairstyling, I was confident I would be able to pull off the look with the assistance of the Revlon One-Step Hair Dryer/Styler and the BESTOPE Hair Straightener, for that sleek finish.
THE STORM
The Day Before the Function
The day before the function, I had some errands to run in town at Rawlings Park, (Makola) Market Street (Accra). What I thought would have been a brief trip took all day (literally hell).
If you have ever visited Rawlings Park you know it is not an ‘easy stroll in the park’. From sitting in traffic for hours to maneuvering on feet through a busy crowd, and not to mention in the hot disrespectful sun! It was not a pleasant experience at all. And to make matters even worse, walking around with an empty stomach, only to not get what I need at the end!
Upon arriving back to the family house that evening after a hopeless case, I immediately got started on my wash day routine.
|| PAUSE
Here are some important pieces of information you must know:
- My wash days are a full-time shift, unpaid.
- I was required to be at the function for 7:00am; which meant I needed to set off at 5:50am in order to make it on schedule. As for the makeup artist, she informed me that she would depart at 4:00am; from Tema to Taifa.
- I still had to do the following to my hair:
- Blow dry – I ripped the life out of my hair using the Revlon One-Step Dryer/Styler. I would not recommend it to anyone with tight-coily kinky textured hair
- Straighten – I attempted the ‘chase method’ approach as if I knew what I was doing
- And, wash, blow dry, and straighten the drawstring ponytail – which sheds quite a bit; therefore, I suggest minimal manipulation if you decide to purchase
PLAY |>
Time was kicking my ass; I had so much to do in such limited time. You can only imagine the repeated strain I applied to my hair follicles from the constant pulling of the hair, especially using the Revlon dryer and my attempt to straighten my hair using the ‘chase method’ approach – epic fail.
I did not achieve the smooth finish I had hope for after applying excessive heat on my hair. I proceeded to middle part my hair, and laid my hair how I liked it to be laid. With no sleep I got my hair situated a little after 4:00am.
Now, the only thing that was left for me to do was attach the drawstring ponytail to my bun and secure it in place, but I figured I would let the makeup artist assist me with that, just that.
Hmm… Here is where things turned left.
The makeup artist arrived at the complex 10 minutes to 5 o’clock; with time not on our side she quickly set-up her station and got started with the makeup application.
Once she completed her work, I went into the bedroom to grab the drawstring ponytail (please bear in mind that I had not seen myself yet) and looked up at the mirror …
Sometimes There Isn’t A Rainbow After the Storm
I returned back to the common area and handed the makeup artist my ponytail which she agreed to attach and secure for me. Let us not lose focus of the fact that she had ONE job apart from the HORRIFIC face beat she completed.
Just in case you are wondering, I was vocal about not liking my makeup. Normally, when I do not like a service provided I keep it mute and keep moving. However, in this situation I could not be silent.
She proceeded to pull out my scrunchie, unraveled my braid, and brushed my hair altering the placement of the ponytail. At that point I said, fuck it — everything that could have went wrong that day went wrong.
The makeup artist continued to brush and gather my hair into a mid-height ponytail, and using a thread to TIGHTLY (as if it had not endured enough torture already) secure my hair in place prior to the attachment of the drawstring ponytail.
In that moment I was livid: all I could hear was my inner voice repeatedly saying, make it make sense, because this shit was not making any sense at all.
How was it that after hours of me putting in the work; washing, blow drying, straightening, and placing my hair in a position to suit my face, resulted in me looking like a clown?
Moreover, I was behind schedule; it was approximately 6:10am, and remember I was supposed to set off at 5:50am. I must have told the makeup artist multiple times to pack up and leave as I was already behind schedule, and I could not afford to waste any more time on formality. On the contrary, she was more concerned with attempting to fix the horrific job she did on my face.
The only thing that could fix that mask painted on my face was some makeup wipes, and I made sure to pack my NEUTROGENA® All-in-One Make-Up Removing Cleansing Wipes; as well as, an eyeliner, mascara, hair brush, and some skincare products because EVERYTHING was coming off on my way to the function — drawstring ponytail included.
In the end, I did not look nor feel my best; my hair and makeup missed the mark. Let me just say, I looked better on my worst day than on that particular day.
THE CURRENT STATE OF MY HAIR
I put my hair through such a traumatic experience; from the usage of the heat styling tools to the makeup artist mishandling it. I jeopardized the overall health and strength of my hair for a sleek and modern hairstyle that was not even fulfilled.
It is safe to say (being that this is a non-judgement zone) that my hair is currently heat damaged; it appears and feels lifeless, dry and brittle. In addition, there has been a change in texture and I have been experiencing excessive breakage, tangles and knots.
Since, I have cut off approximately 3″ if not more of my hair out of frustration; in doing so, my hair is now uneven. I am back to the drawing board.
ON THE ROAD TO RECOVERY
I want to quickly share the products that I have been using to aid in restoring the overall health of my hair:
Shampoo: African Black Soap Reviving Shampoo
Protein Treatment: Aphogee Two Step Protein Treatment
Leave-in Conditioner: Shea Moisture Manuka Honey & Natural Oil Intensive Hydration Masque
Oil: An oil concoction (a variety of oils) or Olive oil
Moisturizer/Cream: Camille Rose Naturals Curlaide Moisture Butter
FINAL THOUGHTS
I regret booking the makeup artist and asking her to attach the drawstring ponytail to my hair.
If I had achieved the desired look I was going for on that particular day, I genuinely would not have felt any grief on the hair damage I sustained as I was fully aware of the possibility of heat damage.
Despite everything, the only thing I would have done differently was prioritized that week more efficiently and time management.
IN THE COMMENT BELOW
Let me know if you have any suggestions on what I can do or use to remedy my hair back to health as I embark on this road to recovery.
HAPPY GHANA INDEPENDENCE TO ALL MY GHANAIANS!
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